Thank you

Vaccinate Juneau's Kids Coalition would like to thank all the volunteers, organizations and sponsors that helped to make Super Shot Saturday, Aug.14, another success. On a sunny, warm Saturday, we hosted the 9th Super Shot Saturday at Valley Medical Clinic.

This free event provides vaccinations to all children and teens in Juneau in a fun, safe and professional environment. VJK Coalition would like to thank Valley Medical Clinic and staff for allowing us to host this event at their clinic when I'm sure they would have liked to be out fishing.

Thanks to the Dr. Bursell and Dr. Schwarting office for allowing us access to their windows to hang our sign. Super Shot Saturday is staffed with about 40 volunteers who review, administer and record vaccinations, entertain children and families, set up and clean up after the all-day event. It would not be possible without this volunteer effort.

Special thanks to Bartlett Regional Hospital, Moose Lodge No. 700, Coast Guard Women's Association, and the Wythe Dornan and Brian Douglas Foundation for their financial contributions to the VJK Coalition that enabled us to advertise in the Capital City Weekly, Juneau Empire and on the radio as well as provide gifts for the children attending the event. VJK Coalition would also like to thank the following businesses for prize donations and food for the children and volunteers: Rie Munoz Gallery, Kids on the Move, Eaglecrest, Wee Fishie, Seventh Heaven, Gross Alaska Theater, Susan's Hallmark, Nugget Alaska Outfitter, Linda Wahl, (Bath and Body Consultant), XEROX, Mary Kelley, Fiddlehead, Bullwinkles, Coca-Cola, Juanita's Coffee, Safeway, McDonalds, Taku Smokeries, Heritage Coffee, Sarah Kreher, Northern Sales, Breeze-In, Treadwell Arena, Safekids, and last but not least, the entertaining Juneau Joey Clowns. Lastly, thank you to the entire staff of the Juneau Public Health Clinic for their volunteer time on this sunny Super Shot Saturday.

Sincerely,

Justine Muench RN PHN

Chairperson VJK Coalition

... to Gray-Line bus drivers

Recently the Alaska Army National Guard had a drill on a weekend which involved a large number of soldiers crossing back and forth across Egan Drive at the Whittier crosswalk. This clearly marked crosswalk is routinely ignored by many drivers and the safety of pedestrians as they cross there has been a concern of ours for a long time. On five instances over the weekend as I crossed at this intersection, Gray-Line busses stopped to allow myself and others to cross.

These were different drivers on different days and it was clear to me that this was a pattern of professional behavior on the part of these bus drivers and their company. To the bus drivers and Gray-Line; we would just like to say thanks.

Andy Swanston

... for helping rabies clinic

The Board and staff of the Gastineau Humane Society wishes to extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Leslie DeKrey of Douglas Island Veterinary Services for donating her time to hold a rabies clinic. Thanks in large part to Dr. DeKrey, close to 50 dogs who were not vaccinated against rabies and who therefore were not licensed were able to accomplish both tasks.

Every day volunteers provide assistance to the animals at the shelter. They bring extra bits of love and attention to those who need and deserve all of the caring they can get. All of us who work here are extremely appreciative of the time and attention each of them gives. Again, thank you Dr. DeKrey, you are great.

Chava Lee

Executive Director

Gastineau Humane Society

... for help with raffle tickets

On behalf of the Juneau Jumpers, we want to publicly thank Alaska Airlines, Taku Glacier Lodge, Wings of Alaska, TEMSCO Helicopters, and the White Pass and Yukon Railways for their generous donations of prizes for this year's raffle. Thanks to Bullwinkle's Pizza for contributing the raffle tickets. Thanks also to all the Juneau community members who bought raffle tickets in support of our team. This year's prizewinners were Alex Malter, Crystal Novotney, George Elgee and Lisa Rollin.

The 2004 Juneau Jumpers fund-raising raffle was a huge success. Proceeds from the sale of more than 3,000 tickets enabled team members to attend skills camps, compete at National Championships in Florida and for five of our most skilled jumpers to compete at the World Championships in Australia. We are proud of our hard working team and very grateful for the support this community has given them.

Juneau Jumpers Board of Directors

... for the help and wisdom after trail injury

While visiting Alaska for the first time earlier this summer I unfortunately injured my ankle while hiking on a trail near the Mendenhall Glacier. Experiencing extreme pain and hardly able to walk, a young fellow hiking in the opposite direction stopped and inquired about my situation.

After telling him that I was hardly able to walk by myself, especially with the weight of my daypack, he offered to turn around and hike back down the trail with me. He ended up carrying my bag, told jokes to lighten my old spirit, and even fashioned a makeshift walking staff for me.

Being much younger than I, I was surprised when he showed such wisdom and caring at his age. He was a truly great young man and the community of Juneau is blessed to have such helpful and considerate youth to help out old guys like me. As we got to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitors Center I was extremely grateful for his compassion and wit and asked him what there was I could do to repay him for his kindness.

He looked at me rather shocked, sat there for a moment, and then turned to me and said to something in the manner of, "The only thing you can do for me is next time you see someone who needs help stop and help them out. And when they ask what they can do for you, you tell them the same thing."

I didn't think he would have been able to surprise me again, but he did. When I asked him for his name he just said, "My friends call me River." So River, wherever you are out there I want to say thank you for helping me out in my time of need out of the kindness in your heart and I look forward to my chance to help someone out.

And thank you Juneau for a wonderful time there in the 49th State.

Norman Johnson

Santa Cruz, Calif.

... for helping the Girl Scouts

The Tongass Alaska Girl Scout Council (TAGSC) had a very successful 2nd Annual Smore Salmon & Silent Dessert Auction fundraiser Saturday, Sept. 4, thanks to many people. We are so grateful for the support of the Girl Scout program.

Our heartfelt thanks go to the event sponsor, Alaska Travel Adventures; Mike Windred, who served as our dessert auctioneer and did a fantastic job; and the staff at the Gold Creek Salmon Bake, who were so wonderful to work with.

Thanks also to Ann Chandonnet for handling our publicity and to the Juneau Empire for its feature article on a few of our auction desserts and the donors who were creating them.

Juneaus restaurants have some very talented chefs and there are some amazing individual gourmet chefs in this community who really shined at our event with their creations.

Thank you to the restaurants and individuals who contributed desserts:

This remarkable group of people is committed to ensuring that the Girl Scout program continues in Southeast Alaska to help girls develop the values, self-confidence, and leadership skills needed to make sound decisions about their lives and the issues affecting all of us.

Finally, we especially want to thank everyone who attended the event and generously supported our dessert auction. You truly are making a difference in girls lives.

For more information about Girl Scouts in Southeast Alaska, call the TAGSC office at (907) 586-1710 or 1-800/478-8247.